Acetylene gas generator



No. 623,477. Patented Apr; i8, I899. A. KAY.

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Dec. 27, 1897-) -(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

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. A. KAY.

ACETY LENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Dec. 27, 1897.)

( No Model.) 3 sums-sheet 2.

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Patented Apr l8, I899.

A. KAY. AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Dec. 2?, 1897.1

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

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I ARGHIBALD KAY, OF MANCHESTER, ENGLAND.

A'CETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 623,477, dated April 18, 1899.

' Application filed. December 27,1897. serial No. 663,646. iNo model.)

To ttZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that l, ARCHIBALD KAY, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Manchester, in the county of Lancaster, England, have invented certain new and useful Apparatus for the Generation and Storage of Acetylene Gas, (for which I have obtained patents in Great Britain, No. 21,351, bearing date September 20, 1896, and No. 24,611, hearing date November 4, 1896,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to and comprises improvements in the construction or the arrangement and combination of the parts of apparatus for the generation and storage of acetylene gas by which these operations are carried on with regularity and ease and the generation automatically stopped when consumption ceases.

Referring to the drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 a back elevation, of one form of the generating and storing apparatus. Fig. 3 is a partial sectional elevation of the gas-holder, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the non-return gas-valve to an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 isan elevation of a portable form of generating and storing apparatus; Fig. 6, a sectional elevation, and Fig. 7 a sectional plan, of the same. Fig. Sis a cross-section on the line 8 8, Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a cross-section on the line 9 9, Fig. 5.

In carrying into practice the improvements of this invention one or more generating vessels are used; but it is preferred, except for small sizes, to use at least two, one fitted over the other, constructed and arranged in connection with the storage vessel and watersupply as follows:

As illustrated by the drawings, the generating vessels A A, which are preferably cylindrical in shape and formed of cast-iron, but which may be of malleable iron, steel, or of enameled fire-clay or other suitable metal or material are each fitted with doors CL a at opposite ends, which are secured by the swiveling bridge-piece a and tightening-screw fitted with cross-handle (1 A gas-tight joint is formed when required by the use between the vessels A A and doors a a, of an asbestos ring steeped in oil and black-lead or graphite,

or other suitable jointing materials may be employed. These generators A A are fitted up, supported by standards B, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in an inclined position, so that one end is considerably higher than the other, or they may be secured to the side of the tank A in an angled or inclined position by means ofa flange-plate and washer or riveted thereto. Each generator is connected by a series of union couplings or right and left handed screwed nipples c to a condensing'vessel 0 above them, also fitted at a similar angle. This condenser C may, however, be formed or east in one piece with the generator and the communication with the generator formed by two or more openings or by a single opening extending nearly the whole length of the condenser.

Openings may be bored or east through the sides of the condensers O opposite each connecting-nipple c for the purpose of enabling same to be cleaned, and these openings may be closed by screwed plugs c.

The gas generated flows up into the condenser C, and any water carried'up along with it gravitates to the lower end of condenser, whence it flows down into the generator below. From the condensers O the gas 18 led by pipes D D, fitted with stop-cocks or, as indicated in the drawings, with simple non-return valves 61, first upward and then downward, to be admitted to the storage vessel or holder E, which is of ordinary gasometer form within a water-tank F, the larger sizes being erected on feet F,- and any water still conveyed over by the gas falls into a drip-well (1, formed at the lowest part of gas-conducting pipe D. The gas-holder E has avertical rod E fitted to its top part, working through a guiding cross-bar E and preferably has also guide-pulleys 6, running on the standards e.

The non-return valve d is constructed as follows and is shown in Fig. 4. The body or casing cl of valve is cylindrical and constructed of cast-iron; but it may also be made in aluminium or alloys of same. The valveseat (1 is turned and faced in the casing of valve. The valve d is formed of a hemispherical shape, preferably made of pure block-tin, aluminium, or other suitable white metal having the lower edge turned to a bearing and ground to form a gas-tight contact with valve-seating d. The valve is secured to a vertical spindle (Z working true in guides (1 within the casing above and below the valveseat (Z and provided with a stop (Z to prevent it being lifted out of position.

A small beam-lever G is fulerumed on one of the standards 6' near its upper end, and a weight g is suspended by a chain g from its inner end. The other end of this lever G is connected by a rod or wire 9 to a weighted lever H, which opens or closes the valve H, which allows the water to flow from the tank F to each generator by the pipes 71, fitted with stop-cocks h. The water is led by the pipe h from this valve H up to and along the upper side of each generator, whence the water is conveyed to interior by small nozzles 7L2. The water is thus very gradually admittedto the carbid, and the generation of gas is effected slowly and without producing great or sudden pressure. lVhen the carbid of one generator is exhausted, when more than one are used, the water-supply can be cut off from it by the stop-cock h and opened to the other one, when the first generator can be cleaned outand recharged withoutcutting off: the gassupply or stopping the generation. \Vhen consumption ceases or is not equal to the generation, the gas-holder rises and lifts the weight g, which action releases the lever G and allows the weighted lever H to cut off the water-supply by closing the water-valve H.

The gas generated is led away from the holder E by the pipes I for consumption where desired.

A tank fitted with ball-valve or any equivalent arrangement can be used to maintain the water at the desired level in the tank F.

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 on Sheet 3 illustrate a portable apparatus having a water-tank F and a gas-holder E sliding upward and downward within said tank F, and a generating apparatus. The water for generating the gas from the calcium or other carbid is supplied from tank F through a valve H and the pipe 7L, fitted with stop-cock to the condenser, from which it flows to the generator, to which it is admitted in a fine stream or spray on the carbid. This water-valve II is controlled by a floating ball or disk .I, which is connected to the end of the weighted valve-lever II by the chain 9 The sliding holder E is fitted with a vertical tubular rod 1), of a suitable length, secured to its top and having a disk I) secured on its lower end.

\Vhen the gas-holder is at the bottom or in its lowest position, this disk Z) presses on the floating ball J and, slackening the chain g relieves the valve-lever II from the lifting action of floating ball .I and allows the lever II to fall downward to open the valve II and (the injeetor-coekh being open) water to flow in upon the carbid in the generator A. Gas being generated, the holder E and disk 1) rise and relieve the floating ball J, which raises the lever II and closes the supply-valve II until the quantity of gas generated is consumed, when the cycle of operations is repeated.

A glass gage-tube (not shown in the drawings) may be fitted on the generator, having proper gage-taps and fittings to indicate when charge is about exhausted. v

The generated gas is conveyed away for consumption by the pipe I, fitted with a dripwell i and drip-cock 2".

The cylinders in the larger sizes may be provided with a water-jacket or casing containing water, having an opening at top to assist in reducing the temperature of generating-cylinder.

I claim as my inventionl. The combination of a generator for generating acetylene gas arranged in an inclined position with a condenser similarly arranged above and communicating with said generator along nearly its whole length, whereby gas generated in the generator passes into the condenser and water freed from the gas therein returns to the generator, substantially as described. 1

2. The combination of a generator for generating acetylene gas arranged in an inclined position, with a condenser similarly arranged above said generator and connected to the same by a series of couplings, whereby gas generated in said generator passes into the condenserand water freed from said gas therein returns to the generator, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

AROIID. KAY.

\Vitnesscs:

A. I. GILL, A. \V. M. CALLUM. 

